MICHELLE BURKE
Saint Louis,MO
Summary
Occupational Therapist with extensive experience in orthopedics and upper extremity rehabilitation. Expertise includes leading staff training, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and providing comprehensive patient care. Seeking to leverage clinical problem-solving abilities and effective communication in a dynamic medical sales or healthcare recruiting role.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
Occupational Therapist
Shriners Hospital for Children
01.2002 - Current
- Direct Patient Care: Provide comprehensive evaluations and therapy for children recovering from complex congenital and traumatic hand injuries.
- Collaborated with surgeons, nurses, and care teams to plan and coordinate postoperative rehabilitation pathways, enhancing patient recovery outcomes.
- Designed and constructed custom orthopedic splints and casts using anatomical knowledge, supporting effective surgical recovery and patient comfort.
- Led monthly educational sessions to train and orient new clinical staff on pediatric hand upper extremity care, improving team knowledge and patient service delivery.
Occupational Therapist
Kenosha Early Intervention Center
01.2001 - 01.2002
- Home-Based Therapy: Coordinated travel schedule to deliver home-health therapy for children ages 0-3 facing physical and developmental challenges.
- Family Engagement: Led small group sessions for patients and parents, fostering support and understanding of their care plans.
- Evaluated patient needs through comprehensive assessments and observations.
- Developed individualized treatment plans tailored to each child's condition.
- Implemented therapeutic activities to enhance motor skills and coordination.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Saint Louis University
Saint Louis, MO05-2000
Skills
- Patient Assessment
- Clinical Problem-Solving
- Healthcare expertise
- Interdisciplinary collaboration
- Presentation Skills
- Product training
- Task management
- Goal-Oriented Planning
- Client relations
Key Clinical Milestones
- Textbook Collaboration, Partnered with two orthopedic hand surgeons to co-author 'Hand and Upper Extremity Therapy Protocols for the Congenital, Pediatric and Adolescent Patients'.
- Research Contributions, Assisted hand surgeons with clinical data and outcomes tracking, contributing to a publication in the Journal of Hand Surgery.
- Community Program Coordination, Developed and organized an annual specialized camp at Shriners Hospital for children with hand differences.
Summary - About Me
I am an Occupational Therapist and former Division I athlete with 24 years of experience specializing in orthopedics, upper extremity rehabilitation, and clinical collaboration. I am motivated by teamwork, clear communication, and building long-term relationships based on mutual trust. I am comfortable working closely with surgeons, navigating busy clinical spaces, and leading educational sessions for staff. I am looking to transition my healthcare background and problem-solving skills into a meaningful new role within medical sales or healthcare recruiting.
Timeline
Occupational Therapist
Shriners Hospital for Children
01.2002 - Current
Occupational Therapist
Kenosha Early Intervention Center
01.2001 - 01.2002
Bachelor of Science - Occupational Therapy
Saint Louis University